Business Continuity Workaround Template
Purpose
Use this template when normal systems or processes are unavailable and the company must operate temporarily using an alternative process.
A workaround should keep the business functioning without creating uncontrolled cybersecurity, data, financial, or operational risk.
Workaround Information
Workaround ID: ____________________
Incident or disruption: ____________________
Business process affected: ____________________
Business owner: ____________________
Start date/time: ____________________
Expected duration: ____________________
Normal Process
Describe the normal process that is unavailable:
Normal systems used:
Temporary Workaround
Describe the temporary process:
Examples:
- Manual order entry
- Telephone customer support
- Temporary paper records
- Alternate payment approval
- Temporary file repository
- Alternate communication channel
- Manual production scheduling
People Authorized to Use the Workaround
Information Used
What company or customer information will be handled?
Is sensitive information involved?
- Yes / No
If yes, describe protection:
Security and Control Requirements
Confirm where applicable:
- Access limited to authorized people.
- Sensitive data remains protected.
- Personal email is avoided.
- Personal cloud storage is avoided.
- Payment approvals remain controlled.
- Important transactions are recorded.
- Temporary passwords or credentials are controlled.
- Customer information is protected.
- Manual records are stored safely.
- Actions can later be reconciled with restored systems.
New Risks Created
What additional risks does the workaround introduce?
Examples:
- Duplicate payments
- Missing records
- Weak access control
- Manual data entry errors
- Sensitive paper documents
- Uncontrolled spreadsheets
- Personal devices
- Delayed approval
Approval
Workaround approved by: ____________________
Cybersecurity or IT review required: Yes / No
Reviewer: ____________________
Approval date: ____________________
Reconciliation Plan
When normal systems return, how will temporary records be transferred or reconciled?
Owner: ____________________
End of Workaround
Normal service restored: ____________________
Workaround ended: ____________________
-
Temporary accounts removed: Yes / No / N/A
-
Temporary files moved or deleted: Yes / No / N/A
-
Manual transactions reconciled: Yes / No / N/A
-
Temporary access removed: Yes / No / N/A
Outstanding issues: ____________________
Closure approved by: ____________________
Practical Rule
A workaround should be temporary, controlled, documented, and removed when normal operations return.